Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas,

When all through the Archives

Not a student was stirring, for Christmas soon would arrive.

DVD’s were arranged in the Gift Shop with care,

In hopes that last minute shoppers soon would be there.

The staff were nestled all snug in the Reading Room

Rachel sharing truffles, too many to consume.

With the microfilm buzzing and doors locking at noon

Colleen’s at her desk listening to holiday tunes.

When back in the vault there arose such a clatter

Nicole sprang from her desk to see what was the matter.

Running to the vault we all flew like the Flash,

Opening the door to discover the crash…

When, what to our wondering eyes did appear

But a miniature sleigh, filled with archival gear?!

The driver, Andrew Meyer, so lively and quick

We knew in a moment this wasn’t a trick.

He delivered some boxes, and polyethylene bags.

Even shared new donations and acid free tags:

“Here’s postcards! And ledgers!

For the permanent collection!

Now catalogue, catalogue,

Catalogue with perfection!”

Laurie excited by all these donations

Started working immediately on grant applications.

So back to the Archives we all flew, light and quick

Our arms full with supplies, just like jolly Saint Nick!

Soon all the work at the Archives was finished

We were all very tired but our passion undiminished.

We shut off the lights, gave the Admin Building a whistle.

And away we all flew, like the down of a thistle.

I heard one exclaim, as snow blinded our sight,

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

— Adapted from Clement Clarke Moore’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem” (1822).